I’m slightly manic. I’ve always found it very easy to admit to myself and others that I’m depressed. It’s not that way with mania. Mania is so secretive. I get the little voice that says..

- Maybe you’re just happy!
- Maybe this is a good day which is why you’re getting a lot done.
- Maybe it’s caffeine- considering that I drink mostly decaf, I doubt that.

The truth is that I am manic when I think I’m manic.

I created my Health Cards Treatment System in 1999 and since using it, I’ve done  a lot better mania wise. It still sneaks up on me- that is for sure, but the information  I have on my Health Cards reminds me what my brain says when I’m hypomanic.

- Julie, you’re just creative.
- Julie, you just sent in a book proposal- anyone would be happy!

It’s all untrue. I’m slightly manic and I have to admit it and keep it under control.

I am so thankful for the Health Cards- the system works. I just have to be honest with myself and use it!

What are your mania signs? It sure helps to have a system in place to keep them from getting out of control.

I simply can’t say enough about the Health Cards. If you have not read about them, here is a link:

www.bipolarhappens.com

In the past, my mom would say that she thought I was manic- I’d get angry and tell her that she had no idea what she was talking about! Now that we have the Health Cards she can pull out the info and show it to me!

I’m more open to her pointing things out considering that I wrote down my symptoms and showed them to her!

Julie

I really do need to change my heading on the top of this blog! People ask me this question all of the time.

The Health Cards are the treatment system I created in 2000 to help myself manage the illness. I was very sick- I basically couldn’t function in the real world in terms of friends and work. I certainly had a life, but it wasn’t a quality life. So I created the Health Cards and got my life back. You can read about them on bipolarhappens.com

The Health Cards are used by the person with the illness as well as the people who care about them.  They work! I have a blog on teenagers and bipolar disorder below. Teenagers especially respond to the Health Cards as they can be done in private and then discussed with parents.  I wish I’d had them when I was a teenager!

 They are a system to accompany medications- especially when the medications aren’t working as well as we would like them to!

Julie

When you go to bipolarhappens.com- there is a newsletter link at the top of the page. I try to send out newsletters with truly helpful treatment tips- they are a bit more treatment oriented than the blog!

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